At Pivot, we love to see people taking a shot at making something new or improving on an old idea. That’s what keeps technology moving forward—the people constantly looking to innovate and design new products. And that’s why we’re so happy to be a sponsor for the Make48 Competition.

For those of you who don’t know, the Make48 Competition is an invention challenge where teams apply and compete to develop a new commercial product idea in a 48-hour invent-a-thon weekend. Teams have 48 hours to plan, prototype, and pitch a new idea within the specifications of a challenge, revealed at the start of the 48 hours.

The teams use a variety of tools and materials and get expert guidance from a resource-rich fabrication workshop. At the end of 48 hours, the teams have to present their ideas to a panel of experts in product development, scouting, and sales. The top three teams are awarded prizes that include a crowdfunding campaign and licensing consideration.

While only the top three teams will get those prizes, the experience itself is plenty rewarding for the teams. Of course there is the exposure—showcasing their talents and ideas to top brands, investors, and industry experts—but it’s also a great time to learn about the tools and materials that go into prototyping your own idea. Teams get to see and experience hands-on prototyping techniques with the latest tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and molding/forming machines.

And even if teams don’t take one of the top three spots, there are tons of giveaways like books, tools, and t-shirts — along with a few surprises for lucky teams.

To enter, you must have a team of 2-4 members with a captain over the age of 18. Send a 1-2 minute video of you and your team, and if you’re selected you’ll receive a packet with guidelines and a schedule.

We’re excited to see what all of these teams can come up with at the Make48 Competition. Even if your team isn’t selected, don’t give up! Keep coming up with ideas and working on your passion. And if you need a little help, contact us to get a free consultation. We specialize in helping inventors bring their ideas to life and their products to market. Check out our testimonials and you’ll see that we excel at turning ideas into reality.